Richie Anderson may be finished

[FanofBill]

Surgery on neck could end Anderson's career

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


Cowboys running back Richie Anderson could be facing career-ending neck surgery.

A 12-year veteran, Anderson suffered a concussion in the 10th game last season against Baltimore and played sparingly after that. He was placed on the injured reserve list before the season finale against the New York Giants.

When contacted by the Star-Telegram on Friday, Anderson acknowledged he is in the process of determining whether the surgery is necessary for him to continue playing football with a final decision expected to be made in the "next week or so."

"Any time you mess with the neck, it's serious," Anderson said.

Anderson said his mind-set is "to continue playing football" if he is "healthy enough to play".

But if he can't, "I can accept that. I can't complain. I have had a great career."


http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/10999738.htm


I hope he does what is best. However, deep down, I hope he retires. I hate to see him having the ball in crunch time and fumble.

[MichaelWinicki]

Surgery on neck could end Anderson's career

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


Cowboys running back Richie Anderson could be facing career-ending neck surgery.

A 12-year veteran, Anderson suffered a concussion in the 10th game last season against Baltimore and played sparingly after that. He was placed on the injured reserve list before the season finale against the New York Giants.

When contacted by the Star-Telegram on Friday, Anderson acknowledged he is in the process of determining whether the surgery is necessary for him to continue playing football with a final decision expected to be made in the "next week or so."

"Any time you mess with the neck, it's serious," Anderson said.

Anderson said his mind-set is "to continue playing football" if he is "healthy enough to play".

But if he can't, "I can accept that. I can't complain. I have had a great career."


http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/10999738.htm


I hope he does what is best. However, deep down, I hope he retires. I hate to see him having the ball in crunch time and fumble.

Stick a fork in him.

He's done.

Back...neck. Any surgery on the spinal column seems to be a career finisher.

I wish him best though. I've got a disk problem but not bad enough for surgery.

[Yeagermeister]

He needs to decide what will make is life better after football.

[JackMagist]

I've had a feeling that he was done ever since I heard it was his neck that was injured. Necks are nothing to mess around with if you don't want to spend the rest of your life in a wheel chair.

[SuspectCorner]

that spinal stuff has been a killer for the boys.

just in the last decade: irvin, novacek, moose, woody, lafleur (no offense to the aforementioned greats)... who'd i forget?

[Fletch]

Time to get rid of Darian Barnes and draft a true FB or get recently released Robert Holcombe.

[WoodysGirl]

I hope he does what is best. However, deep down, I hope he retires. I hate to see him having the ball in crunch time and fumble.
I guess we know where your priorities lay. Neck surgeries are serious business. At this point, my hopes for him are that he can walk somewhat normally whenever his playing days are over.

When it's all said and done, he was a good pick up for the 'boys. Just overused IMO, because the youngins didn't step up.

[calico]

well, if he is done then that is sad. I enjoyed his short time here and I wish we had somehow gotten him years ago. He contributed alot in 2003.

[TRIPLETS]

only former parcells player i was pleasantly surprised by.ill miss him.

[yesfan]

We were at hotel 2003 season,he has a real good demeanor,
i could see his personality working well for him in the booth.

[Yeagermeister]

Time to get rid of Darian Barnes and draft a true FB or get recently released Robert Holcombe.
We had one and we cut him....Jamar Martin

[FanofBill]

I guess we know where your priorities lay. Neck surgeries are serious business. At this point, my hopes for him are that he can walk somewhat normally whenever his playing days are over.

When it's all said and done, he was a good pick up for the 'boys. Just overused IMO, because the youngins didn't step up.

I know I'll get cream by someone for saying that. I would never say insensitive things like this in a regular conversation. It's easier here to speak my mind when nobody knows who I am.
I guess, I gotta watch what I type a little more. :o

[MichaelWinicki]

that spinal stuff has been a killer for the boys.

just in the last decade: irvin, novacek, moose, woody, lafleur (no offense to the aforementioned greats)... who'd i forget?


Aikman had back/disk problems. And Haley's career was finished due to disk problems.

[Cbz40]

Any injury of that nature is nothing to mess around with......to big a gamble..time to hang it up. I wish him the best. ;)

[SuspectCorner]

Aikman had back/disk problems. And Haley's career was finished due to disk problems.

we're starting to build an all-star team of spinal retirees here. thanks michael.

spinal "tapped".

[Qwickdraw]

Andersen's replacement?


Verron Haynes (PIT)

[Tuna Helper]

Anderson's Replacement:

Dexter Coakley (LB - Dallas)



I saw him run back a fake kick, and the dude has blazing speed. He could be a good fit at FB.

[MichaelWinicki]

we're starting to build an all-star team of spinal retirees here. thanks michael.

spinal "tapped".


You're welcome sir!

Actually, many millions of Americans start to have disk problems in their 30's. I had mine at 35... and it wasn't related to hard physical activity, that I can tell you!

[MichaelWinicki]

Was it related to activities that involve your better half? :D


YEAH RIGHT!!!

Don't I wish!

No, if you do any research on herniated disks, you'll see that in many cases it's just part of the aging process. Back around 1900 when the average lifespan was less than 50, herniated disks weren't that much of a problem but now... everyone I know it seems has tingling in their arms or legs or numbness... that's all due to herniated disks.

[AsthmaField]

I actually like Lousaka Polite. He's a little bit like Anderson in that he catches the ball very well and is versitile. He isn't the runner that Anderson is (was), but he does have the "do anything the coach asks" mentality that Parcells loved about Anderson.

[SuspectCorner]

You're welcome sir!

Actually, many millions of Americans start to have disk problems in their 30's. I had mine at 35... and it wasn't related to hard physical activity, that I can tell you!
the several people i've known who suffered back injuries have told me they don't really get better. the pain is chronic and intensifies as they get older. i feel very blessed in that regard. pain sucks. chronic pain must be agonizing.

[MichaelWinicki]

the several people i've known who suffered back injuries have told me they don't really get better. the pain is chronic and intensifies as they get older. i feel very blessed in that regard. pain sucks. chronic pain must be agonizing.


Yep. For every back/neck disk surgery that goes well it seems that another 2 or 3 have just replaced one pain with another.

I still have a 5mm herniation between my C5 & C6, but have gone through physical therapy and live pretty much pain free... so no surgery for me.

When it first got bad... I could rotate my neck back & forth and it honestly felt/sounded like there were broken chards of glass in my neck.

And the pain in my forearms? Terrible. For two years I thought it was tendonitis before I figured out that it was a disk problem. The only other time in my life where I've had paid worse than that was when I once had an anal fissure... That's another thing I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy!

[FanofBill]

the several people i've known who suffered back injuries have told me they don't really get better. the pain is chronic and intensifies as they get older. i feel very blessed in that regard. pain sucks. chronic pain must be agonizing.

I don't know how heavy is a 22" monitor but I used to be able to carry it without a problem. But ever since I turned 40 a couple of years ago, I have to ask for help. I know I can lift it by myself, but I would feel it in my back for days afterward.
I work with a couple of guys at work who had their back messed up by lifting something the wrong way, and every once in a while I could tell when their back is acting up when I see them walk funny.

[Eskimo]

Aikman had back/disk problems. And Haley's career was finished due to disk problems.

I think you can also add Rocket Ismail to that list - didn't he retire due to a neck problem?

[MichaelWinicki]

I think you can also add Rocket Ismail to that list - didn't he retire due to a neck problem?


That's true.

Good one!

[Jersey]

First and foremost, I hope Richie's surgery and recovery goes well. With that being said, its most likely that he's done. Either way, we must address the position. Barnes is not a FB on a SB caliber team, and I'm not sure how Polite is progressing. That leaves FA & the draft. I also see where Patrick Pass of New England is a UFA. I know we have a lot of bigger needs, but this one has to be worked into it.

[DaBoyz73]

I guess we know where your priorities lay. Neck surgeries are serious business. At this point, my hopes for him are that he can walk somewhat normally whenever his playing days are over.

When it's all said and done, he was a good pick up for the 'boys. Just overused IMO, because the youngins didn't step up.

I could not agree with you more. I think his health is more important than football.